One Of The Pacific Coast's Best Small-Town Bakeries Is A Charming Wine Country Picnic Spot

Freestone, California, isn't exactly a place that too many tourists find themselves passing through. Measuring at half a mile long, the tiny Sonoma County town sits just off the rugged Pacific Coast about an hour north of San Francisco. There are no grocery stores or hotels. Instead, Freestone is home to a few farmstands, an artisan cheese shop, acres of vineyards — and one of the best bakeries in the region.

Wild Flour Bread has been drawing lines since 1998, when owner Jed Wallach first fired up his wood-burning brick oven to bake his renowned sourdough loaves. All of them are leavened with his own starter and kneaded by hand, creating a thick flavorful crust that encases whatever add-ins the team feels like experimenting with. Think whole cloves of roasted garlic, caraway seeds, za'atar, or cranberries and candied ginger. The menu rotates but customers can also expect classic white loaves, sweet breads, and famous sticky buns sprinkled with raisins and walnuts.

People drive for miles to sample the creations, often arriving at the charming barn-like outpost right at 8am. The crowds, the unique combinations, the quirky setting — all of it has led to Wild Flour being named on Tasting Table's list of the best small-town bakeries in every region. The one issue is that there isn't any seating, so the best way to visit is to plan a picnic. Luckily, Freestone is nestled in one of the most scenic areas you can imagine.

When I first visited, I was taken aback the second we got out of the car. I work at a bakery in San Francisco and had heard about Wild Flour for some time. I was so intrigued as we drove through the quiet, rolling hills, wondering how somewhere so remote had earned its reputation. It quickly made sense. The bread from Wild Flour is not only crusty and toothsome, it's also extremely flavorful.

The sourdough has a distinct tang few can master, and the menu features add-ins I've never seen elsewhere. The brick oven creates a bold, sturdy crust, and the tight webbing shows that the loaves are hand-kneaded. The Garlic Rosemary is my personal favorite and the signature wheat is a must. Make sure you don't skip the sticky buns either, or the lemon blueberry scone.

It gets busy, but the line is part of the fun — the excitement builds as you wind the corners while analyzing the chalkboard menu above. You can also watch the bakers work and there's an on-site garden, which supplies many of the ingredients. But you should bring your picnic to one of the other picturesque spots nearby. Drive 15 minutes to the coast and explore Bodega Bay, eat under the redwoods at the local nature preserve, or head deeper into wine country. Here are some restaurants to try in Sonoma if you stay for the day, though you might not have room.